VOLKSWAGEN GROUP AUSTRALIA HAS APPEALED for a nationally consistent approach to low and zero emissions vehicle policy as the New South Wales Government seeks to encourage uptake.
The NSW proposal, described by VGA as “world class”, will go before parliament when sitting resumes. Meanwhile, it says, Victoria’s “world’s worst EV policy will continue to discourage customers south of the border”.
VGA – currently comprised of the Volkswagen, Skoda and Cupra brands – is Australia’s leading European vehicle importer. Next year VGA will introduce three Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) and is intent upon importing its first fully Electric Vehicle (EV).
VGA Managing Director Michael Bartsch said that the widespread adoption of EVs and PHEVs has “broader societal and environmental benefits, not least the reduction of emissions and reliance on fossil fuel”.
“Electric Vehicles and Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles will eventually come to comprise the great majority of passenger vehicles on sale,” Mr Bartsch said. “Yet we as a national sales company are confronted by polar opposite approaches in Australia’s two biggest markets.”
“While the announcement of NSW’s progressive policy has enabled our company to make representations to its factories for EV prioritisation, we are impeded by Victoria’s ill-considered and haphazard approach.”
“Victoria is taxing EVs while these comprise less than one per cent of new vehicle sales. It has ensured that cutting edge plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are doubly taxed by the road user charge and the fuel excise. Old tech hybrids that run on highly sulphurous 91 RON petrol escape this double levy.”
“In polar contrast to Victoria, NSW has engaged with stakeholders and experts to facilitate the uptake of EVs. The Government has said that it will not implement an EV specific road user charge until these vehicles comprise 30 per cent of sales. It will remove stamp duty. It is intent on making EV ownership easier.”
“Only now has Victoria appointed a panel to consult industry. It need only set aside provincial rivalry and look north of the Murray River for its example. As it stands, an EV or PHEV owner in Albury would be exempted from a road user charge, while their neighbours in Wodonga on the south bank are taxed for choosing a zero or low emissions vehicle.”
VGA is a member of the Electric Vehicle Council.